Paulhauser

38 minutes ago, Sean said:

This dimension that directly affects the geometery and playability of a bass is something rarely discussed (if ever). 

Agreed. I wish all my Spectors' bridges were as close to the edge of the body as possible, even if sacrificing high fret reach.
Which issue I, as a cellist student turned to bass player never understood, cellos don't have cutaways still you have to reach up high if you have to play notes there.  

(Full disclosure: I do understand it can be an issue for some, but if I ever play around and over the 20th fret is 99% tapping which overrides the cutaway issue FOR ME)

46 minutes ago, cetera said:

I have two of them mate. When we sort the LHZs I'll make sure I have one for you to try...

I would've been surprised Gary if you didn't have at least a COUPLE 🙂 🙂

On 03/11/2025 at 19:40, Sean said:

JJ Config - Euros, NS (USA)

 

Hello Spectorettes,

 

What do we think of EMG JJ config basses?

 

Do they sound like a sort of Spector version of a J bass? What's the spacing? Does Neck Through take it too far from what a J bass is about?

What's that limited edition Euro '79 JJ one?

 

Any views? Anyone selling?

 

 

 

Sean, just to clarify, what do you mean by the Euro '79 JJ?

There was a limited release of Euro 1979 LE back in 2019, but that has DiMarzio PJ pickups (I own one of these)

Is the NS-2JA-R that you mean, the Euro bolt on limited edition (83 pcs each of the three high-gloss finishes: solid white, solid black and natural gloss) that Spector did back in 2008?
"Spector's NS-2JA-R is a limited edition reissue of the company's NS-2JA from 1983 and features the original Spector NS curved body design and NS-2JA deep-inset neck pocket design. Other features include a maple body, chrome hardware (Leo Quan bridge, Schaller tuners) and EMG active J pickups with EMG BT active tone controls."

On the original question: I have a Euro 5 Classic JJ and it sound different to my Atelier Z 5 string "superjazz" ('60 spacing). Both pickups on the Classic are closer to the bridge and the overall sound of it to my earsis closer to my 5 string PJ /DC Spectors than to the jazz, it still has the Specor DNA rather than the jazz. 

@Sean it is too much of a Sunday afternoon now and I can't be bothered to take out the ruler and the phone, but this intrigued me, too. I have a bunch of Euro5s and NS-5XL and they all have different distance between the bridge and the edge of the bass and they are ALL 35"  

And to add: I have two pre-LX Euros, both has serial number that starts with "zero"  as in "NB0xxx"  so basically from the same year and the neck length / bridge -edge distance is different on them, too :-)

Love them all nevertheless and it's just an iteresting "Spector minutiae" as you said

The normal (ie non-fanned) nut essentially negates the whole idea of multiscale?

I'm wondering if the dark grey thing is not a nut but a string guide and the first, fanned fret is a zero fret, then it's all good....I'm confused 🙂 
(if you zoom in you can see the cut slots for the strings on the "nut" )

Following this with interest.....

Also some new RST Zebra limited ones

3 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Agree. The back of the headstock looks very different too. Never seen something like that. Check it out:

 

 

Yeah, wondering myself, too... what's that, a prototype that got away maybe?

Monetary considerations aside it is a simple question of which is more 'unbearable' : the guilt of having it but not being used or the regret that you would definitely feel once you sell it (and unsuccessfully trying to buy back)

Found this new dealer exclusive shell pink Euro Classic 4 and 5, seems like they have a regular classic version and one with the roasted neck (check the paint / natural finish transition at the heel) Some German and Japaneese dealers have them, though I have no idea about worldwide availability or exclusivity.

Cool color and I must say it is a great time to be a Spector aficionado, even if my wallet does not think so. 

8 hours ago, ead said:

 

I don't anymore sadly.  With my arthritis problems I am slowly selling off pretty much all my basses.  I may keep one or two and something to play through but that will be about it.

Sorry to hear about your health issues, I hope you can still play to some extent in the future. 

I just asked because I came upon my own thread when googling the limited editions and what is the market for them - if any (ie prices) - and browsing though I saw your response and was reminded that you, too had them.

I still have them both but they are my Spectors I use the least, the '77 saw some action when I subbed for a band where a 5er would have looked out of place and its sound fit like a glove but other than that my other Spectors with a low B are getting all the attention. 

@ead just out of curiousity, do you still have them both?

3 hours ago, cetera said:

Agreed. The Japan-only version with maple board and matching inlays is a lot more attractive......

 

In a perfect world i'd have one of each.

I really like ebony for a fingerboard and none of my current Spectors have one. I used to have a US 6er with ebony and really loved its response when tapping.

3 hours ago, cetera said:

It might be a bit far..... he's on the continent

 

@Sean thanks a lot, but I'm afraid he is right 🙂

1 hour ago, cetera said:

Spector EURO 5 CST LIMITED - BLUE BURST GLOSS https://reverb.com/item/91685498?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=91685498

Thanks Gary! 🙂

I have to say that though a great looking Spector it is, yours (and the 5er) wins with the paintjob / color selection, the maple board and the matching inlays.  If I were to have an ebony boarded CST (which I'm seriously contemplating) it would be a red one. 

2 hours ago, cetera said:

*cough* https://www.digimart.net/cat3/shop5072/DS09354419/ 😉

Damn you, Gary 😄 😄  Now I have to get one, thanks a lot 🙂
(secretly hoped though that there is a 5er version 😉 )

1 hour ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

 

 

Oh, I wanted to say that it looks like Danny will ship to Hungary soon 😁

However, I then got the website translated and "こちらの商品は[在庫切れ]のため購入できません" means "This item is out of stock and cannot be purchased." 😞

Yes but, alas, no. But the quest begins! 🙂

Congratulations @cetera it is a stunner!
Myself is a bit relieved that it's not a 5 string and even if it was it's not available (Ishibashi site doesn't show new items, only used)

@SteveXFR as said above dialing back on the output might help.

Also try to play with the treble a bit. While technically the tonepump isn't a boost only setup, it doesn't have a center detent so the best bet is to dial back to "zero" , counterclockwise and start from there to see (hear) what you like.  

Eventually Spectors have their own sound and that either fits to the music you play or not. 

1 hour ago, binky_bass said:

I've had 2 or 3 of these over the years, then genuinely are very good basses, even at the price point they were when they were new. Looking forward to giving this one a blast in a day or two! 

Come to think of it, this Dickens model has some quite advanced Bartolini preamp package in it. I did a search and it indeed is quite something 🙂

Nice score Russ! The GTBD was on my bucket list for a few years albeit I was not succesfull in getting one. I had a GT-7 though for a few years, the regular overseas Conklin 7er and that was a great bass, heavy but balanced exceptionally well with the huge body and fat neck. I seem to remember that the neck on the Dickens model is somewhat narrower and thinner than the GT-7. I think you are up for a treat!

I was on a quest a few years back to get a 4 string PJ Euro with 35" for the band I played in at that time. Within a period of about two years I saw 3 for sale, 2 ended up with me. (the 3rd was in Norway and customs were complicating things a bit so I did not buy it)
They are rare. 

15 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Are there 34 and 35 versions of it? It only said 2016 Ian Hill signature bass, so I assume it is the 34 one. 

Per definition they are 34", but I came across at least two or three Ian Hills that were 35" 

Throughout the years Spector produced a few 35" Euro 4s, sometimes called Euro435 with the same PJ setup and all the other specs being exactly the same and from the outside it is almost impossible to tell a 34" from the 35" except for one telltale sign. So if you know what to look for you can spot the 35" Euros pretty easily. My Euro 4 35" pictured below and if you look at the bridge pickup it almost lines up with the balance and the treble pot, whereas on standard Euro 4s the pickups are in different locations (and relative to the pots, too. ) 

I had another 435, same layout and the latest 35" Ian Hill I've seen (seller confirmed the scale lenght and the IH model sign on the back of the headstock

23 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Well, I tried securing another potential "not for sale" bass, the Ian Hill signature model, today. Unfortunately, I was outbid on ebay 😞 

Was it 34” or 35”?

@Eldon Tyrell I think you are lucky to have a "not-for-sale" bass, meaning you've found something that fits you so well and also lucky for the Starr bass- haven't seen many out in the wild. It is fun to try new things even with the caveat of them most probably not becoming a not for sale bass....

On 04/06/2025 at 19:50, Eldon Tyrell said:

Don't know who the bloke on the left is. Any idea?)

I'm pretty sure he is Rachel Bolan from Skid Row

10 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

 

It's the voice of God. 

and if it is not, then God never spoke 🙂